Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY261039 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2008 Inspection date Susan June Stone Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since April 2003. She lives with her two adult children. They live in a mid-terraced house, not far from Frome town centre. There are shops and a park within walking distance of the house. Childminding takes place in the lounge and playroom downstairs, a bedroom for sleeping and bathroom facilities are upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. At present she is caring for nine children, all on a part time basis. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant, when a maximum of seven children may be cared for at any one time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a local toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the Frome Childminding Network and the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about personal hygiene through the childminder’s daily routines. The childminder encourages the children to learn about maintaining their personal hygiene. She uses activities linked to topics to help children understand the importance of health and hygiene. She has used ‘Harry the hands, hand washing guide’ which tells the children to ‘wash those germs down the drain’. She has this poster displayed by the sink in the bathroom as a reminder to the children to wash their hands effectively. She provides liquid soap for hand washing and paper towels for the children to use to dry their hands. The childminder has also used topics to encourage teeth cleaning, helping the children to develop an understanding of keeping their teeth and gums healthy. These activities and routines help the children take responsibility for their own personal care and learn about the possible spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder only provides snacks for the children, which usually consist of fruit and the occasional biscuit. Children enjoy slices of banana, and other fruits that the childminder provides for snack. Meals are provided by parents, which are suitably stored until needed. The children sit together at their own small table to eat their meals and are independent in feeding themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has appropriate systems and records in place for accidents and medical treatment. She ensures that consent is gained before medication is administered to children and appropriate information is recorded. She ensures she continues to update her first aid training. She has recently purchased a new first aid box but has not reviewed the contents in line with current guidance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills and benefit from the fresh air through activities provided by the childminder. When the weather is fine the children access the childminder's garden, where they use the toys and outdoor equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is well organised and child orientated, which allows the children to move about and play in comfort. Through her vigilance and risk assessment, the childminder ensures that hazards to children, both inside and outside the home, are minimised and addressed, like fitting safety sockets and safety gates, also ensuring the front door remains locked when children are present. She has appropriate fire detection equipment and a fire blanket to use in an emergency. Together, this helps to ensure children's safety at all time, and allows the children to move about freely and safely under the childminder’s supervision. The childminder also reminds the children about maintaining their own safety. She reminds the children to sit carefully on their chair and also encourages them to pick up the toys from the floor so that they do not trip over them and hurt themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides a range of safe and well maintained furniture and equipment which means that the varying needs of the children can be met, therefore promoting their welfare and development. She ensures she has enough equipment to meet the needs of the children in her care. Toys are stored in boxes and shelves in the playroom where children can easily access them and choose what toys they wish to play with. The childminder monitors the toys

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 that the children play with to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. She ensures toys with small parts are stored out of reach of the younger children and babies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has attended training with regards to promoting children’s welfare since her last inspection. She has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and her role in the protection of children, ensuring the children's safety is always a priority. She has a written policy with regards to this which is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children's self esteem is reinforced well by the childminder valuing each child and supporting their needs. The children are confident and happy during the time they spend with the childminder. There are warm and caring relationships between the childminder and the children. The childminder values the children's opinions and respects their wishes. She allows the children to make their own decisions about their play as they choose from the activities and resources available. This also helps to build the children’s personal independence. A good range of play opportunities and activities are available to the children, helping them to develop new skills and enjoy themselves. The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters guidance and is beginning to introduce it into the setting to plan and provide activities that encourage children’s individual development. The children benefit from regular outings to the park and toddler

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

groups. These outings give the children opportunities to take part in new and different experiences. It also provides opportunities for them to develop their social skills as they interact with other children and adults. The childminder also provides a range of activities for the children who attend after school. She allows them to relax and unwind after the school day, she provides structured activities for them but allows them to make their own decisions about what they wish to do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder interacts well with the children, and she is involved in their play at an appropriate level. She is encouraging and reassuring and offers lots of positive praise and reinforcement. She helps the children find the different pieces when doing an alphabet puzzle, she talks with them about the different letters, looking for the matching picture to the letter sound. She is encouraging and offers praise during the craft activity where the children decorate the pictures of Wellington boots and umbrellas, they use glitter to make them sparkly and different felt pens or wax crayons to colour them in. The childminder talks to them about when they would wear Wellington boots and use umbrellas. The child tells the childminder how they splashed in the puddles when wearing their boots. The childminder also encourages the children in their role play of playing ‘mothers’, caring for babies. The childminder allows the children to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

develop the game at their own level and responds to their requests such as finding a nappy for ‘baby’ and helping to wrap ‘baby’ in a blanket. She also finds a tea towel for the child as they pretend to do the washing up in the role play kitchen, putting the plates to drain on the rack. The children also put the clothes in the washing machine, spinning them around to get them clean. They enjoy their play and are relaxed and happy while in the childminder’s care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are valued and respected as individuals, their care and development needs are well met as they follow the daily routine. The childminder is aware of the children's particular requirements and meets these well. She interacts with the children, encouraging them to feel valued and included. The children are able to access a variety of toys and activities which portray positive images of diversity. At the local toddler sessions the children have opportunities to learn about the world around them through first hand experiences, such as creative activities which relate to different festivals like Diwali and Chinese New Year. Children also enjoy visits to the local soft play centre, library, parks and other local amenities. This helps the children to learn about their surroundings and how they fit into the community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder sets very good examples in her behaviour. She has a calm approach and uses positive, sound methods for managing behaviour, which are realistic to the children's ages and levels of understanding. The children are learning right from wrong and manners are encouraged by the childminder like saying please and thank-you for drinks and toys. The children behave well and respond to the consistent boundaries set by the childminder. Discussions indicate that appropriate explanations are given when behaviour is not as expected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's friendly, yet professional relationship with parents. The childminder ensure parents are well informed about the care offered. She has developed a portfolio of policies and procedures, which are shared with them. The childminder and parents work together to meet the children’s needs. Time is allowed daily to talk and share any necessary information concerning the children. This sharing and recording of information allows individual needs to be clearly identified, and ensures that appropriate care is offered. This also allows parents to be confident in the care offered, and to feel that their views and opinions are valued and respected.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming family home where their individual needs are identified and appropriately addressed. They are cared for in a safe environment where they feel comfortable and secure and where space is used effectively to meet children's play and care routines. The children are relaxed and settled which means they are able to learn and develop at their own pace. They engage in a range of suitable activities and experiences which contribute to their individual learning and development. A suitable range of furniture and equipment is used well to provide for the varying needs of the children attending.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to further developing her role as a childminder. She does this by studying hard to update her qualifications and skills. She has attended a variety of workshops and training courses to update and develop her knowledge and understanding of various aspects of childcare. The childminder has also obtained the NCMA Quality First status at level two.

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Organisation

Documentation with regards to the childminding and care offered is in place and is well maintained. Policies and procedures are used well to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. They are shared with parents to keep them informed of the care offered. Parent's thoughts and views are valued and acknowledged, which contributes to the continuity of care and the meeting of individual needs.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were four recommendations made from the last inspection, which were to; develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and up to date contact details, to improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is accessible in the kitchen, to keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children, and to maintain a record of children's daily attendance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken positive steps to address all the above recommendations. She has attended training with regards to child protection to help her develop her knowledge and understanding in this area. She has an updated copy of the local authority reference booklet which includes current contact details. She now has a fire blanket fixed to the wall in her kitchen that is easily accessible to use in an emergency situation. With regards to medication, she has systems in place to gain written consent before administering any medication to children and keeps a written record which is signed by parents. The childminder now keeps a written record of children's attendances, which includes their actual arrival and departure times. All previous recommendations have been suitably addressed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • make sure the contents of the first aid box conform to current guidelines.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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